Podcast Title: This is Gavin Newsom
Host: iHeartPodcasts
Episode: Extended Conversation: How To Live Forever With Dr. Sanjay Gupta
Release Date: July 9, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of "This is Gavin Newsom," Governor Gavin Newsom engages in an in-depth conversation with renowned neurosurgeon and medical reporter, Dr. Sanjay Gupta. The dialogue delves into the intricacies of longevity, public health, misinformation, and the evolving role of artificial intelligence in medicine. This summary captures the essence of their discussion, highlighting key insights, notable quotes, and the overarching themes explored during the episode.

1. The Foundations of Longevity and Health

Gavin Newsom opens the conversation by acknowledging Dr. Gupta's extensive work on longevity and public health. He emphasizes the importance of basic health practices and inquires about recent breakthroughs that could enhance life expectancy and health span.

"[...] you've been writing particularly about some breakthroughs and some examples of real successes as it relates to longevity and wellness that give a sense of well-being,"
— Gavin Newsom [03:07]

Dr. Sanjay Gupta responds by distinguishing between lifespan and health span, stressing that the quality of years lived is as crucial as the number itself. He highlights that lifestyle choices—such as diet, exercise, and sleep—play a more significant role in determining health outcomes than genetics alone.

"With what we know now, not any new medical breakthrough or some big development, we could greatly expand life expectancy and health span."
— Dr. Sanjay Gupta [04:15]

2. Diet's Impact on Health and Disease Prevention

The discussion transitions to the impact of diet on inflammation and neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's. Gavin probes into the role of sugar, dairy, and meat in cognitive health.

"How important is [limiting sugar, dairy, and meat]? Are these foundational in terms of addressing issues around Alzheimer's and dementia?"
— Gavin Newsom [06:12]

Dr. Gupta elaborates on the detrimental effects of excessive sugar consumption, categorizing it as "toxic" due to its overwhelming impact on the liver and its role in increasing LDL particles.

"Sugar I'd almost put into its own category. Like I'm alluding to sugars, toxic."
— Dr. Sanjay Gupta [06:57]

He further discusses the benefits of a vegan diet in reducing inflammation, citing Dean Ornish's work in potentially stalling or reversing Alzheimer's progression through dietary changes.

"Going on a vegan diet was greatly associated with decreasing inflammation in the body and in the brain and could, if it could stall and potentially reverse Alzheimer's disease, that was a big deal."
— Dr. Sanjay Gupta [07:45]

3. Personal Health Practices and Lifestyle Choices

Gavin shares his personal health routines, balancing intense exercise with moderate activities like walking, and adhering to a diet low in sugar and alcohol. He humorously touches upon his involvement in the wine business despite acknowledging alcohol's negative impacts.

"I have more moderate activity as well. Eat healthily. Don't eat sugar at all. Don't drink alcohol."
— Dr. Sanjay Gupta [09:10]

The conversation underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced lifestyle to promote longevity and overall well-being.

4. The Fluoride Debate and Public Health Policy

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the controversial topic of fluoride in public water supplies. Gavin seeks Dr. Gupta's expert opinion on the ongoing debates and the historical context of fluoride's role in public health.

"How worried should I be about this fluoride movement now we're seeing? [...] How important is it?"
— Gavin Newsom [17:58]

Dr. Gupta provides a nuanced perspective, acknowledging that while high doses of fluoride can lead to skeletal and dental fluorosis, the current levels used in the United States are generally safe and contribute to preventing cavities. He contrasts this with international practices, noting that countries like Iceland and England employ alternative fluoride delivery methods, such as rinses and milk fluoridation, respectively.

"Most of the data that exists on the benefits of fluoride exists before 1975. [...] Fluoride today, lower risk, lower reward than it used to be."
— Dr. Sanjay Gupta [21:30]

He emphasizes the need for improved dental care and coverage to reduce the reliance on fluoride supplementation.

5. Misinformation, Trust, and Public Health in the Post-Pandemic Era

The conversation shifts to the pervasive issue of misinformation and its impact on public trust, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Gavin raises concerns about the erosion of trust in experts and the increasing polarization of public opinion.

"Misinformation [...] how do we get back to the kind of platform that we need in order to row in the same direction as a country?"
— Gavin Newsom [22:24]

Dr. Gupta reflects on historical and contemporary challenges in public health communication, drawing parallels between the 1918 flu pandemic and the COVID-19 crisis. He discusses the role of social media in amplifying misinformation and the critical need for trust-building measures.

"Nobody believes anything. [...] Unless you can touch somebody, unless you know somebody personally, you don't really trust them anymore."
— Dr. Sanjay Gupta [23:48]

He advocates for a "trust but verify" approach and highlights the importance of accurate, nuanced information dissemination to combat misinformation.

6. The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare

In the latter part of the episode, Gavin explores the burgeoning role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, questioning its potential to reduce costs and enhance research and clinical practices.

"Is AI overhyped in terms of medical expenses? [...] Is it under hyped as it relates to imaging benefits and just sort of super capacity to address chronic disease and solve for some of life's great evils and cancers?"
— Gavin Newsom [34:04]

Dr. Gupta expresses optimism about AI's transformative potential in healthcare. He cites examples such as AI-driven diagnostic tools that can analyze vast datasets to inform clinical decisions more efficiently than traditional methods.

"I think it's going to be magnificent ultimately what AI can do for healthcare. It's going to need guardrails, but I think even those are very trainable."
— Dr. Sanjay Gupta [34:51]

He also touches upon the challenges of ensuring equitable access to AI technologies and the importance of addressing disparities to prevent exacerbating existing healthcare inequalities.

7. Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks

As the conversation winds down, Gavin reiterates his appreciation for Dr. Gupta's nuanced insights, particularly regarding fluoride and broader public health issues. They briefly touch upon personal anecdotes related to vaccination discussions and the human aspect of healthcare communication.

"This was fabulous. Thanks for all you're doing. Keep doing what you're doing. You're a bright light in this darkness and I appreciate you taking the time."
— Gavin Newsom [42:35]

Conclusion

This episode of "This is Gavin Newsom" offers a rich and multifaceted exploration of topics critical to public health and personal well-being. Through an engaging dialogue with Dr. Sanjay Gupta, listeners gain valuable perspectives on longevity, the complexities of public health policies, the dangers of misinformation, and the promising future of AI in medicine. The conversation underscores the necessity of nuanced understanding and collaborative efforts to navigate the challenges of modern healthcare.

Notable Quotes:

• Gavin Newsom [03:07]: "You've been writing particularly about some breakthroughs and some examples of real successes as it relates to longevity and wellness that give a sense of well-being."

• Dr. Sanjay Gupta [06:57]: "Sugar I'd almost put into its own category. Like I'm alluding to sugars, toxic."

• Dr. Sanjay Gupta [21:30]: "Fluoride today, lower risk, lower reward than it used to be."

• Dr. Sanjay Gupta [23:48]: "Unless you can touch somebody, unless you know somebody personally, you don't really trust them anymore."

• Dr. Sanjay Gupta [34:51]: "I think it's going to be magnificent ultimately what AI can do for healthcare. It's going to need guardrails, but I think even those are very trainable."

This summary provides a comprehensive overview of the episode, capturing the depth and breadth of the conversation while highlighting significant insights and perspectives shared by both speakers.